Medallion, portrait medallion

Charles Watson-Wentworth was the second Marquess of Rockingham and leader of the Whig party. His family home, Wentworth House, was located in Yorkshire, but he also kept a London town house in Grosvenor Square. Rockingham entered the House of Lords in 1751. A close friend and ally of the Duke of Newcastle, Rockingham became Prime Minister in 1765. After repealing the Stamp Act which had generated great opposition in the American colonies, he was removed from office by George III the following year.

After nearly two decades in opposition, Rockingham became prime minister for the second time in 1782 but died later that year. This relief was modelled in white wax by the Scottish portrait medallionist James Tassie and likely commemorates Rockingham's death.